Ellie Chong, a freshman at Highland Park High School, has discovered an innovative way to detect hospital-acquired infections before symptoms appear. Her project involved creating a gel that can be attached to surgical sites under a dressing and turns blue if the site is likely to show signs of infection. This is possible because infected sites become less acidic before symptoms develop, and the gel contains a dye that changes color based on the acidity of the solution.
Chong’s invention won first place in the Biomedical and Health Science category at the Texas Science and Engineering Fair, earning her a $1,000 Wayne Squires Award and an invitation to present her project at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles in May. The potential applications for this technology are vast, ranging from hospitals in Dallas to remote areas where medical care may be limited.
The gel could provide an easy and fast way for patients in rural areas without easy access to medical facilities to monitor their wounds at home, detecting infections early without requiring specialized knowledge or training. Chong expressed gratitude to her science teachers at Highland Park High School for their support as well as her parents. She hopes that other students interested in science will have the opportunity to pursue their interests through projects like hers.